Montgomery Perry Smith

Chicago Artists Month No. 1050

Chicago based artist Montgomery Perry Smith creates sculptures juxtaposing familiar, household materials with delicately handcrafted details. The results are strikingly elegant and sexual compositions. Since graduating with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2008, Smith has done solo shows in Los Angeles, and predicted by Chicago publication Newcity as one of nine “Breakout Artists” to watch.

Q: How did your career as an artist begin?

A: I have been interested in art ever since I was little. I went to SAIC for drawing and painting, then fashion, but ended up graduating from the Fiber and Material Studies Department.

Q: What has your experience as an artist working in Chicago been like?

A: I love Chicago’s art community. Everyone is so friendly and ready to talk with you about your work. There are many young artists that are creating amazing work right out of school, and there are plenty of artist run spaces and apartment galleries to take your first steps.

Q: What type of work do you do?

A: I make fiber based sculptures that deal with queer identities and bodies, and present them in a sweet, but also menacing way.

Q: What drives your work?

A: Seductive objects from my day to day life, fantasies, and anxieties.

Q: I am about to release my limited edition artist book titled Sissy. It is a collection of my pieces with an essay by Shannon Stratton of threewalls. It is a signed edition of 250. I am also working on a series of glow in the dark pieces and figuring out a venue to present them.